Palmer's climate change policy

Clive Palmer held a press conference with Al Gore and announced that PUP senators would vote to abandon the carbon tax but would vote against the abolition of the Climate Change Authority and move to establish an emissions trading scheme to come into effect when Australia's main trading partners establish these schemes

Transcript

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TONY JONES, PRESENTER: Clive Palmer has punched a hole in the Abbott Government's legislative agenda by pledging his band of new senators will oppose some of its signature energy and climate policies.

In his duet today with climate warrior and former US Vice President Al Gore, Clive Palmer announced conditional support for scrapping the carbon tax, but he also demanded that the Government establish an emissions trading scheme and declared he would block plans to abolish green energy initiatives.

Anna Henderson reports.

ANNA HENDERSON, REPORTER: Clive Palmer has seen the limelight on climate policy.

Mr Palmer called a media conference in Parliament's largest public venue with a special vice presidential guest.

AL GORE, FORMER US VICE PRESIDENT: This extraordinary moment in which Australia, the United States and the rest of the world is beginning to confront the crisis in a meaningful way.

ANNA HENDERSON: It seems the pair are now on the same page.

CLIVE PALMER, LEADER, PALMER UNITED PARTY: Australia has got an opportunity to set a standard which can act as a catalyst for the whole world.

ANNA HENDERSON: Clive Palmer has reaffirmed that his senators will support the repeal of the carbon tax so long as conditions are met.

CLIVE PALMER: We'll move an amendment and that amendment will ensure that the removal the carbon tax requires that all producers of energy in this country are required by law, not by choice to pass on to all consumers of energy the savings from the repeal of the carbon tax.

CLIVE PALMER: In voting against the abolition of the Climate Change Authority, Palmer United senators will move an amendment to establish an emissions trading scheme. This scheme would only become effective once Australia's main trading partners also take action to establish such a scheme.

GLENN LAZARUS, INCOMING SENATE LEADER, PALMER UNITED PARTY: We ask that you refrain from asking questions during the addresses.

CLIVE PALMER: After media event, many questions remained unanswered.

ANNA HENDERSON: Clive Palmer called reporters here to Great Hall of Parliament House promising an announcement that would rock the nation and the world. He and Al Gore gave brief statements to the media, but they didn't take any questions, saying they had to have dinner first.

The Government is claiming the Palmer United Party announcement as a win.

GREG HUNT, ENVIRONMENT MINISTER: The news that the Senate will now support repeal of the carbon tax is unambiguously good news for Australian families.

ANNA HENDERSON: But Greg Hunt says an emissions trading scheme is not on the Government's agenda.

GREG HUNT: It's not our policy. We do however want to see any amendments, and if amendments appear, then we will consider them, but let me say this: it has not been and it is not our policy.

ANNA HENDERSON: The Greens are also finding solace, but it's highly qualified.

CHRISTINE MILNE, GREENS LEADER: So I really welcome the fact that they're now going to support the retention of those institutions set up by the Greens and Labor under the last government. So that's good. But as to his vague remarks in relation to emissions trading, it certainly looks as if he's trying to have it both ways.

ANNA HENDERSON: Not only will the Palmer United Party vote to keep the Climate Change Authority, it will also block the Coalition's moves to dismantle the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

And the party wants to hold the Government to the Renewable Energy Target, arguing more than 18,000 jobs could go if the target is dismantled.

Labor's labelled the whole event a stunt. Mr Palmer hasn't always been in favour of a targeting industry with a carbon price.

CLIVE PALMER (April 3): It's just another method for raising money by the Government. Now we know that 97 per cent of the world's carbon comes from natural sources. Why don't we have money to look at how we can reduce the overall carbon signature by reducing it from nature, not just from industry? It's entirely wrong-focused.

ANNA HENDERSON: The former Vice President wasn't divulging anything further as he departed, leaving many in the dark about the detail.